"Why can't my brother come with me again?" Olivia muttered softly as she and Glinda walked further from the car her father and Rowan were currently unloading. The campus was still mostly empty, the sign-in time not until the afternoon, so the pair walked in solitude.
"As I said before," Glinda sighed, pushing her glasses up onto her face, "Professor Ozpin wishes to see you alone. You will be able to see your brother and say goodbye to your father as soon as you are done."
Olivia lowered her head and chewed nervously on her lip, eyes darting to and fro like a scared rabbit searching for an escape. 'Don't screw this up, Olivia.'
"Miss Hartins," a man's voice said. Her green eyes jumped forward, falling on a man with a dignified aire about him. Trying to decide whether to bow or curtsy, an awkward mix ended up coming out, her cheeks burning red.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."
"I assure you," he said, taking her hand in his free one, "the honor is mine." He shot a glance at Ms. Goodwitch, who left the vestibule, likely to prepare for the coming students later that afternoon. "I hope you don't mind, but I intend to keep this meeting brief. Please come with me."
Keeping close, Olivia entered the elevator behind Ozpin and the two descended beneath the school. The doors opened revealing a long hall and a massive vault.
"Wow," Olivia said, "this place is huge! Does it go beneath all the buildings?"
"Most of them," Ozpin said, walking down the hall. Olivia followed at a distance, eyes wide and mouth open as she admired her surroundings.
"What's this place for?"
"It was originally built as an emergency shelter for the city."
"In case Grimm attacked?"
"Yes, or for other events. For now, it remains one of Beacon's greatest secrets." He stopped and Olivia followed suit. "Among other things…" he said, his voice fading in the large space.
Before them, a young woman appeared to be sleeping in a pod. The ground was littered with scrap and tools, a twin pod being constructed beside her. Moisture frosted the glass as the woman breathed slowly.
"Who is she?" Olivia asked, walking closer, placing her hand on the glass.
"Someone very important, and she's very sick. Miss Hartins, I said I wouldn't waste your time, so please don't waste mine. Do you think you can help her?"
The young girl turned and looked at him with fear in her eyes. She had certainly helped all sorts of sick people in the hospitals with her gift, human and faunus alike, but the dying?
"I don't know, sir."
He let out a defeated sigh and nodded. "Perhaps after some training…" Olivia nodded, but tried to hide the uncertainty in her eyes. "Come along, Miss Hartins, I best be returning you to your family. Do I have your word you won't tell anyone about this place?"
"I promise."
"Good; follow me."